Chloe Kim_Final Project Documentation

For this project, I wanted to explore how to create reusable bags that are more stylish and engaging for people to continuously use it. My intention was to create an experience for people to use the bag to save the plastic grocery bags and support the ocean life. This was because I was inspired by Ellen MacArthur Foundation study, by 2050 oceans will contain more plastic than fish if no actions are taken to reduce the plastics flow into the oceans. And the most common plastic items collected from the oceans are plastic beverage bottles and plastic grocery bags. Thus I imagined that grocery bags would be purchased by people and the marine animal stamps would be placed in the corner of the grocery store that people can reward themselves for using the bag.

I used unused fabric to create the design of the bag such as cotton, canvas, etc. And for the block printing, I used laser cut to cut individual blocks of marine animals and used variations of colors to fit into the theme. I designed two different bags one with bigger size with a more playful pattern and colors also adjustable so it can be worn by anyone. Another one was for a college-age audience who may want a vintage on trend designed bags. I used logo block print for its original purpose but also used it to create design patterns that become part of the graphic design element.

The most challenging part was to manage my time well to finish different parts of the project on time. I had to first make two bags that I don’t have experience of making before, then design block prints, laser cut individual blocks, and finally mixing colors to print blocks onto the bags. I played with the placement of prints and repeat particular blocks to stylize the bag. At first, I struggled to make the bag using a sewing machine because if I attached parts in slightly different angles then the fabric of the bag would not flow in a way that I intended. I liked how both bags turned out but since the appliqued bag was the second bag to make, the craft was naturally better than the first one.

I enjoyed the process of developing my skills throughout the project, and it was exciting to see how my concept became more and more transparent as I completed each section of the project.